Stocking



Aug. 8, 1939 ffwenof Fawaf C Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOCKING Edward C. Hinchliff, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Burson Knitting Company, Rockford, Ill.

Original application November 14, 1933, Serial No. 697,951. Divided and this application April 17, 1939, Serial No. 268,179

12 Claims. (Cl. 66-172) The present application relates to a knitted Figure 31s an enlarged detailed view f a porstockmg having an improved top fabric. 'Ivhis tion of the stocking top showing an alternating application is a division of my co-pending aparrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns interplication, Serial Number 697,951, led November connected at spaced points to provide two-Way 14, 1933. elastic stretch;

The principal object of the invention resides Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed view of a porin the production o f a knitted stocking having tion of the leg fabric.

a top consisting of, a fabric of a predetermined Previous to my invention, stockings had a top width for attaching a garter fastener thereto o fabricated entirely of inelastic yarns which had andpossessing one-way stretch, and a strainstretch in one direction only, that is to say, cirabsorbing fabric integral with the garter attachcumferentially of the stocking. Further, the ing fabric and having two-Way stretch, whereby knee portion, as well as the garter attaching the garter attaching fabric may have a high deportion, of the stocking were subjected to degree of stretch circumferentially of the stocking structive strains which quite often ruptured the tc enable the top to be easily drawn over the yarn in the knee portion and the garter attaching l5 knee of the wearer, and the strain-absorbing portion, causing the creation of runs. fabric may have a high degree of elastic stretch According to my invention, I have overcome both longitudinally and circumferentially of the this objectionable feature by incorporating, in stocking to take up the strains of the knee fabric the top of the stocking, elastic yarn fine in charand the garter attaching fabric of. the stocking acter (such as the elastic yarn shown and dein the use thereof. scribed in the Adamson Patent No. 1,822,847), Another object of the invention resides in the such elastic yarn consisting of a core of elastic positioning above the knee portion of the stocking material covered by a brous yarn, such 'as-silk of a strain-absorbing fabric consisting of an alor cotton. This type of elastic'yarn can be eifecternating arrangement of elastic and inelastic tively used with the present-day types of knitting 25 yarns so engaged with each other that theY elastic machines and further, has a high degree of yarn may be subjected to longitudinal and lateral stretch in a longitudinal direction and in a transstretch to provide the fabric with two-way elastic versal direction. Therefore, When such yarn is stretch. knitted into courses of plain loops in a knitted Another object of the invention resides in the stocking top, in an alternating arrangement with provision of a weft knitted stocking having a top inelastic yarn, the top has a high degree of consisting of a garter attaching fabric weft knitelastic stretch both circumferentially and longited of inelastic yarn, and a strain-absorbing fabtudlnally of the stocking, as compared with a ric connected thereto and knitted of elastic and stocking top fabricated entirely of inelastic yarn. inelastic yarns, and possessing a high degree of I have also discovered that when elastic and elastic stretch circumferentially of the stocking inelastic yarns are arranged in alternating relaand a high degree of elastic stretch longitudinaltionship with each other in the top of the stockvly of the stocking. 4 ing the top is more easily stretchable than when A feature of the invention resides in the fabriit is fabricated entirely from elastic yarn, or cation of the strain-absorbing fabric of an alterfabricated entirely from inelastic yarn and, furnating arrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns ther, a Ytop Ifabricated from an alternating arso as to possess two-way elastic stretch, and will rangement of elastic and inelastic yarns more be more easily stretchable Athan the remaining nearly resembles the' remaining portion yof the portions of the stocking attached thereto and, stocking in appearance. Y further, will more nearly resemble the stocking Referring to Figure 1, the' stocking illustrated 45 leg fabric in appearance. compiises a top l, a leg fabric 2, an instep fabric With these and other objects'in View, the in 3, a sole fabric 4,'a heel fabric 5, and a toe fabric vention will be better understood from the fol- 6, all of which are weft knitted, the leg fabric 2 lowing detailed description taken in conjuncbeing knitted of two yarns 1 and 8, to give a bettion with the accompanying drawing, wherein: ter appearance to the stocking, as disclosed in Figure 1 is a side elevation ofda stocking conmy parent application, Serial Number 697,951. structed in accordance with my invention; In using my invention in the production of sur- Figure 2 is a side elevation ofa stocking congical stockings, the two yarns 'l and 8 are elastic structedin accordance With a, modification of so as to provide the necessary high degree of my invention; pressure against the legof the wearer. As the 55 leg fabric is knitted entirely of elastic yarns, the stress-absorbing fabric I0, due to the alternating arrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns, is more easily stretchable than the leg fabric so as to absorb the strains created in the garter attaching fabric 9 yand the leg fabric 2 in the use of the stocking.

The top I consists of a weft knitted fabric 9 of a predetermined width to enable a garter fastener to be attached thereto. As this fabric is knit of inelastic yarn, it has stretch only in one direction, that is, circumferentially of the stocking. The top further consists of a strain-absorbing fabric I4 connected to, or integral with, the garter attaching fabric and located therebelow and above the knee portion of the stocking, and fabricated from an alternating arrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns II and I2, as shown in Figure 3. These yarns are interengaged with each other so that the elastic yarn will stretch laterally and longitudinally in the use of the stocking, so as' to provide the strain-absorbing fabric with elastic stretch both circumferentially and longitudinally of the stocking to absorb the stresses created by the pressure of the knee when flexed against the leg of the stocking and relieve the knee portion and the garter-attaching fabric of excessive strains.

In relation to Figure 2, I have illustrated the garter attaching fabric I3, as well as the strainabsorbing fabric I4 both fabricated from an alternating arrangement of interconnected elastic and inelastic yarns, so that both the garter attaching fabric and the strain-absorbing fabric may have simultaneous elastic stretch both longitudinally and circumferentially of the stocking.

I wish it to be understood that the strain-absorbing fabric, consisting of an alternating arrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns, may be arranged in various positions in the stocking top above the knee of the wearer, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, and in Figure 1 of my co-pending application, Serial Number 697,951.

In practice, the elastic and inelastic yarns may be effectively knit into th-e stocking through the use of the Burson type of knitting machine wherein are incorporated two banks of needles (3o-functioning with two sets of yarn carriers, one feeding the elastic yarn, and the other feeding the inelastic yarn.

Subsequent to the filing of my parent application, Serial Number 697,951, I was aware that stockings had been knitted with tops fabricated from elastic and inelastic yarns, but attention is called to the fact that in such constructions, the elastic yarns were so laid in the stocking tops that they were capable of only longitudinal stretch and thus the tops possessed elastic stretch only circumferentially of the stocking, and not longitudinally of the stocking. f

I am now aware of the fact that, previous to my invention, a number of Asucceeding courses of elastic yarn had been knitted in the top of a stocking to provide a .garter effect circumferentially of the stocking, but such a vconstruction was not practical due to the difficulty of stretching the band of elastic yarn, the difficulties experienced in knitting a.4 number of succeeding courses of elastic yarn with the present-day types of knitting machines, and the difficulties experienced due to the distortion of the fabric of the stocking that is connected to theband of elastic yarn. Further, there was too sharp a contrast between the band knitted entirely of elastic yarn and the connecting fabrics of the stocking, thereby detracting from the appearance of the stockmg.

The foregoing difficulties are overcome by my invention due to the alternating arrangement of interconnecting courses of elastic and inelastic yarns.

Attention is called to the fact that when elastic yarns are only laid in with the inelastic yarns, the elastic yarns can be stretched only in one direction, that is, longitudinally. In other words, the elastic and inelastic yarns must be interconnected together, such as shown in Figure 3, so that when the strain-absorbing fabric is pulled longitudinally, the lengths of elastic yarn will be subjected to a lateral stretch, and when the strain-absorbing fabric is pulled circumferentially, the lengths of elastic yarn will be subjected to a longitudinal stretch.

My invention is a radical improvement over what has heretofore been accomplished in the art in that I provide a stocking incorporating a novel combination of fabrics, consisting of a garter attaching fabric having only one-way stretch circumferentially of the stocking, a strainabsorbing fabric connected to, or integral with, the garter attaching fabric, and fabricated from an alternating arrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns so as to be stretchable in two directions-eircumferentially and longitudinally of the stocking, and-more easily stretchable longitudinally of the stocking than the garter attaching fabric and the leg fabric, so as to absorb the strains created in the use of the stocking.

lWhat I claim is:

1. A stocking having a welt fabric, and a stressabsorbing section connected thereto and located above the knee, the adjacent portion of the leg of the stocking down to and below the knee being knitted to provide less easily stretchable fabric, the stress-absorbing section being knitted integral therewith and comprising a plurality of courses of covered elastic yarn alternated with courses of inelastic yarn, whereby to provide more easily stretchable fabric to absorb the stress created when the knee is bent and, accordingly, relieve the fabric in the region of the knee of clestructive strain.

2. A stocking having a welt fabric, and a stressab'sorbing section connected thereto and located above the knee, the adjacent portion of the leg of the stocking down to and below the knee being knitted to provide less easily stretchable fabric, the stress-absorbing section being connected therewith and comprising a plurality of courses of covered elastic yarn alternated with courses of inelastic yarn, whereby to provide more easily stretchable fabric to absorb the stress created when the knee is bent and, accordingly, relieve the fabric in the region of the knee of destructive strain.-

3. A stocking having a welt fabric, and a stressabsorbing section connected thereto and located above the knee, the adjacent portion of the leg of the stocking down to and |below the knee lbeing knitted to provide less easily stretchable fabric, the stress-absorbing section being connected therewith and comprising a plurality of courses `of relatively inelastic yarn alternating with coursesof covered elastic yarn of substantially the same gauge as the inelastic yarn, whereby to provide more easily s tretchable fabric to absorb the stress created when the knee is bent and, accordingly, relieve the fabric in the region of the knee of destruct-ive strain.

4. A stocking having a `strain absorbing Zone below the welt and above the knee, the adjacent portion ofthe welt being knit from relatively inelastic yarn, said strain absorbing zone being integrally knit with said welt and comprising a plurality of narrow bands constituted alternately by courses of elastic rubber thread and courses of relatively inelastic thread, whereby the stress created by the pressure of the knee when flexed against the leg of the stocking is referred to the strain absorbing zone to relieve the knee portion and the welt portion of the stocking of excessive strains.

5. A stocking having a strain absorbing weft knitted zone `below the welt and above the knee, the adiacerit portion of the Welt fabric and the adjacent portion of the leg fabric of the stocking being weft knitted, said strain absorbing zone being integrally knit with said welt and leg fabrics of the stocking and. comprising a plurality of narrow bands constituted alternately by courses of elastic rubber thread and courses of inelastic thread of a gauge approximately the same, whereby the stress created by the pressure of the knee when flexed against the leg fabric, and garter strains of the welt, are referred to said strain absorbing zone.

6. A stocking having a welt fabric, and a stressabsorbing fabric connected thereto and located above the knee, the adjacent portion of the'leg of the stocking downto and below the knee being knit to provide a fabric less easily stretchable then the stress-absorbing fabric, the stress-absorbing fabric being fabricated of an alternating arrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns so interengaged with each other that the elastic yarn may be stretched longitudinally and laterally, whereby said fabric may be more easily stretchable in two directions than the leg fabric of the stocking, to absorb the stresses created when the knee is bent and, accordingly, relieve the stocking fabric in the region of the knee of destructive strains.

7. A stocking extending above the knee and having a top consisting of a fabric of predetermined width for enabling a garter fastener to be attached thereto, and having one-way stretch circumferentially of the stocking, and a strain-absorbing fabric integral therewith and located below saidgarter attaching fabric and above the knee, and fabricated of an alternating arrangement of elastic and inelastic yarns so interengaged with each other that the elastic yarns may be stretched longitudinally and laterally, whereby said strain-absorbing fabric will have an elastic stretch circumferentially of the stocking and an elastic stretch longitudinally of the stocking to absorb the stresses created by the pressure of the knee when flexed against the leg of the stocking, to relieve the knee portion of the stocking and said garter attaching fabric of excessive strains.

8. A stocking extending above the knee and having a knitted top consisting of a knitted fabric of predetermined width for enabling a garter fastener to be attached thereto, and having one way stretch circumferentially of the stocking,

circumferentially of the stocking, and an elastic stretch longitudinally of the stocking, to take up the stresses created in the knee portion and the garter attaching fabric in the use of the stocking.

9. A stocking including a knitted garter attaching fabric, a knitted leg fabric, and a knitted i strain-absorbing fabric located above the knee portion of the stocking and connected to the leg fabric and to the garter attaching fabric, and consisting of a plurality of narrow bands constituted alternately by courses of elastic rubber yarn and courses of relatively inelastic yarn, whereby the stresses created by the pressure of the knee against the leg of the stocking are absorbed by the strain-absorbing fabric, and the stresses to which the garter` attaching fabric is subjected are absorbed by said strain-absorbing fabric.

l0. A knitted stocking having a top fabric knitted ofinelastic yarn and a strain-absorbing fabric connected thereto and arranged ina. position above the knee portion of the stocking and consisting of an alternating arrangement of a multiplicity of courses of elastic and inelastic yarns interconnected together positively at spaced points, whereby the strain-absorbing fabric has two-way stretch longitudinally and circumferentially of the stocking to'relieve the top fabric of excessive strains in the bending of the knee portion of the stocking.

l1. A stocking including a knitted garter attaching fabric having one-way stretch circumferentially of the stocking, a knitted leg fabric, and an intermediate fabric connecting the garter attaching fabric and the leg fabric together, said intermediate fabric being located above the knee portion of the stocking and fabricated from an alternating arrangement of interconnected elastic and inelastic yarns, whereby said intermediate fabric is more easily stretchable longitudinally of the stocking than the garter attaching fabric, to relieve the garter attaching fabric of excessive garter strains in the use of the stocking.

12. A stocking including a knitted top fabric, a knitted leg fabric, and a knitted intermediate fabric located above the knee portion of the stocking and connecting the top fabric and the leg fabric together, said intermediate fabric being fabricated from an alternating arrangement of courses of elastic and inelastic yarns interlooped together throughout the length of the courses, whereby the elastic yarns will have two-way stretch to provide the intermediate fabric with two-way elastic stretch both circumferentially and longitudinally of the stocking to relieve the top fabric and leg fabric of excessive strains.

EDWARD C. HINCHLIII'F. 

